Holywell Bay Cliffs, Cornwall texture and colour in the rocks

I painted this Cornish beach scene at Holywell Bay, a favourite spot on the north coast near Newquay. I was drawn to the rugged cliff face and the way the Atlantic light hits those greys and browns, with deep blues in the shade and a bright grassy top catching the sun. The wide sandy beach gives a lovely open space, so the big dark cliff on the left becomes a strong lead into the scene. Two walkers add a simple sense of scale and a relaxed holiday mood.

For the rocks I pushed texture with dry brush and a few quick marks with the side of the brush. My greys are a mix of ultramarine and burnt sienna, warmed in places with a touch of burnt umber. In the deep shadows I glazed cooler blues and a hint of violet using cobalt with a little alizarin. The headland greens are simple mixes of yellow ochre with spring green and a touch of viridian, kept varied so it feels natural.

The beach is a soft graded wash, warm near the viewer then cooler as it goes back. I saved a few small sparkles for light on the sand, then ran in cool lavender greys for cast shadows. Edges matter here. Hard edges for the rock breaks, soft edges for distant cliffs and the sky. Keep values simple. Big darks for the rocks, mid tones for the sea worn cliffs, and lights for the beach. A couple of tiny figures and long shadows bring it to life.

This original watercolour of Holywell Bay Cliffs is for sale. Please contact me for details. If you enjoy my seaside and landscape paintings, do visit the rest of my website www.timwilmotartist.com and join my painting club on patreon/timwilmot. Check it out for a free trial. I would love to see you in the community.